Autobayng News Team
The reborn Chevrolet Bolt EV is almost here, and now we know a bit more about it. General Motors held an event for Bolt owners on Wednesday, where it spilled the beans on some of the budget electric crossover’s key details. GM also held a media briefing on Thursday where it shared additional details.
The 2027 Chevy Bolt’s launch edition will roll out of its plant in Kansas City January 2026 onwards and cost $29,990, including destination fees. A few months later, a base LT model will arrive at $28,995.
As of right now, that bargain price point should make the new Bolt the cheapest new electric car in America come next year. It sneaks in just below the 2026 Nissan Leaf, which starts at $29,990, excluding a $1,495 destination charge. (Though it may get undercut when Nissan announces pricing for the Leaf’s upcoming entry trim.)
2027 Chevy Bolt
Photo by: Chevrolet
2027 Chevy Bolt
Photo by: Chevrolet
2027 Chevy Bolt
Photo by: Chevrolet
Photos by: Chevrolet
With a price point comparable to small gas-powered crossovers, healthy range and way faster charging speeds than before, the 2027 Bolt is a sorely needed addition to America’s stubbornly expensive EV market.
The company says the new Bolt’s range will be 255 miles, slightly more than the outgoing Bolt EUV’s 247-mile EPA rating. It will recharge from 10%-80% in a not-too-shabby 26 minutes. Its peak charging rate is 150 kilowatts, a huge jump over the sluggish 55 kW charging found in the old Bolt. Juice will be dispensed via a built-in Tesla-style NACS charging port.
The LT has 210 horsepower. And for the first time Chevrolet is offering a sporty-themed RS trim.
The new Bolt will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells, initially imported from China before being source domestically. The automaker declined to name its battery supplier, but shared more technical details regarding the pack.
The 65 kilowatt-hour LFP battery will use a cell-to-pack approach instead of using modules, which helps save weight and squeeze more energy into a smaller space. Those cheaper, more durable cells should have helped GM deliver the sub-$30,000 price tag.
From the outside, the new Bolt bears a strong resemblance in overall shape and size to the previous Bolt EUV that was unceremoniously axed in 2023. In fact, a Chevrolet spokesperson told reporters during the media briefing that the Bolt indeed uses some carryover structural components.
Still, more than 50% of the parts are new or modified. The new parts include the larger battery pack, a brand new electrical architecture, the new X76 electric drive unit (shared with the Equinox EV) as well as new brake modules among other components. It is indeed a new car.
Inside, the new Bolt features an 11-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in. Like other new GM EVs, there’s no Apply CarPlay or Android Auto. In InsideEVs testing, we’ve found the native Google infotainment to be capable enough.
Google Maps is baked into the system with trip planning showing charging stations along your route. There’s also a smartphone-like PlayStore to download apps like Spotify or even stream films on HBO Max. Super Cruise, as before, will be an optional feature.
The new Bolt also gets vehicle-to-home (V2H) bidirectional charging capability. That means owners can use the Bolt’s battery to power their homes during outages. That would require GM’s PowerShift Charger, installation of the required electrical equipment as well as a proper grid connection. Photo by: Chevrolet
The Bolt EV hatchback—joined by a Bolt EUV crossover for the vehicle’s second generation—was among the most popular non-Tesla EVs before General Motors decided to discontinue it. Not too long after that happened, and perhaps spurred by the public outcry, GM announced that it would bring back the Bolt for another generation. And the new model arrives at a pivotal time for America’s EV market.
Affordability is more critical than ever for getting more mainstream consumers into cleaner cars. The loss of the $7,500 EV tax credit in September makes bringing EV costs that much more important for growing electric car sales in the U.S. And numerous studies show that car buyers are eager to try an EV, so long as it doesn’t break the bank.
After targeting a $25,000 car years ago, Tesla seems to have abandoned that mission. Its long-hyped “more affordable models” dropped on Tuesday as little more than stripped-down, lower-priced trims of the existing Model 3 and Model Y.
Other automakers are picking up the mantle of EV affordability, though. The new Nissan Leaf arrived earlier this year with around 300 miles of range in its base configuration. The Slate truck is set to go into production in 2026 as a very different kind of electric option. Ford is cooking up a $30,000 electric pickup truck of its own.
Chevy’s own Equinox EV has quickly burned up the EV sales charts over the last year and change. Just by virtue of its price point and market positioning, the new Bolt will probably be a hit too.
Correction 10/9 10 am: An earlier version of this story said the Bolt would be made at GM’s plant in Fairfax, Kansas. It will be made at GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant, which is in Kansas City.
Update 10/9 12 pm: More details added regarding the battery pack, interior features and the Bolt’s vehicle-to-home charging capabilities. We Think You’ll Enjoy… We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Insideevs.com? – The InsideEVs team
